https://www.setaf-africa.army.mil/pressrelease/29809/cavoli-rohling-travel-t
o-west-africa-engage-with-partner-military-government-officials
Cavoli, Rohling travel to West Africa, engage with partner military,
government officials
By: U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Public Affairs
USAREUR-AF and SETAF-AF commanders travel to West Africa to conduct
engagements with West African partner military and government officials,
U.S. embassy country teams, and NATO allies in the region.
VICENZA, Italy — U.S. Army Europe and Africa Commander Gen. Christopher
Cavoli and U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Commander Maj.
Gen. Andrew M. Rohling visited West Africa April 19-22, to conduct initial
engagements with West African partner military and government officials, as
well as to meet with U.S. embassy country teams and NATO allies in the
region.
During the tour, which included engagements in Senegal, The Gambia, Côte
d’Ivoire and Niger, Cavoli and Rohling reaffirmed the U.S. Army’s commitment
to partnerships and security cooperation in the region.
“While travel to and events on the continent have been affected by the
COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Army remains committed to engaging with our West
African partners and continuing to coordinate security cooperation training
and operations in the region,” Cavoli said. “Security in the U.S. and Europe
is inextricably linked with security in Africa. Synchronizing with our
African and European partners, as well as our State Department country
teams, is crucial as we continue strengthening those relationships and
supporting regional security.”
Cavoli’s engagements in Dakar, Senegal, held April 19-21, included
discussions with Senegal’s chief of the general staff, chief of army staff,
and officials from the French elements in Senegal, as well as with the U.S.
ambassador to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.
Rohling traveled to Banjul, The Gambia, April 19-20, where he met with the
country’s vice president, minister of defense, chief of defense staff,
deputy chief of defense staff, and the commanders of the Gambian army, navy,
and national guard. He also observed a military demonstration and
participated in discussions with various European security partners to
reinforce the U.S. Army’s commitment to partnership amidst the growing
threat of violent extremist organizations in the region.
On April 21, Rohling traveled to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and met with the
country’s deputy chief of defense staff. While in Abidjan, he also visited
the new International Counter-Terrorism Academy in the town of Jacqueville,
and received briefings there from both French and Ivoirian military
officials.
Cavoli and Rohling concluded the West Africa trip by visiting Niamey and
Agadez, Niger, from April 21-22. There, the generals met with Niger’s chief
of army staff, U.S. embassy country team officials, U.S. personnel stationed
at Airbases 101 and 201, and security partners from France, Germany and
Italy.